Technology for students with autism spectrum disorders

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Assistive Technology for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders:

(High Tech Strategies to Increase Independent Functioning)


A. ipod/ipad applications

Social Skills Apps:
  1. Functional Skills System Apps by Conover Company (free-$.99) www.conovercompany.com/ipod/apps
  2. Going Places Model Me Kids (free)
  3. Social Skills ($6.99)
  4. Stories2Learn ($13.99)

Receptive Communication Skills: Organization & Planning:
  1. iPrompts ($49.99)....this app allows users to create picture schedules, visual countdown time and choice prompts.
  2. First-Then Visual Schedules ($9.99)
  3. ToDo ($9.99)
  4. Visules ($4.99)
  5. iCommunicate ($4.99)
  6. Picture Scheduler ($2.99)
  7. iStudies Pro ($2.99).....smart day view that automatically displays summary of current classes and tasks as well as a detailed schedule polanner to break down classes and assignments

Apps for Pre-K Readiness Skills:
  1. ABA apps from www.kindergarten.com (.$99)
  2. Toddler Teasers ($.99)
  3. ABC Phonics (Free/$1.99)
  4. ABC Tracer (Free/$1.99)
  5. Shapy Touch ($1.99)
  6. Shape Builder (Free/$.99)
  7. Softick Coloring Book (Free)

Academics:
  1. Classics: Graphic Book reader. Comes with 9 popular books ($2.99)
  2. Graphing Calculator: high resolution ($.99)
  3. US Presidents:Facts and pictures of each US president ($1.99)
  4. Formulae: A data base of all scientific and math formulas ($1.99)
  5. Chemical Touch: An interactive periodic table ($.99)
  6. US Historical Documents ($.99)
  7. Work Wiki-demongraphics of almost 250 countries in the world (free)
  8. Shakespeare (Free)
  9. Cliffnotes to Go: MacBeth ($.99)
  10. SAT Vocabulary Challenge ($4.99)
  11. Dictionary.com (Free)
  12. AlgebraPrep ($2.99)

Self Regulation:
  1. Mood Tracker ($1.99)
  2. Silent Island Relax (Free/$1.99)
  3. Bubble Wrap (Free)
  4. Relax with Andrew Johnson Deep Relax ($2.99)
  5. Koi Pond ($.99)
  6. Easy Relax Lite (Free)
  7. Binaural Beats (Free)
  8. Blowfish (Free)
  9. Kid Fireworks (Free)

B. Video modeling and video self modeling: Video Modeling is a strategy used with students with ASD where the students watch videos of others/themselves modeling behaviors. The goal is for the student with ASD to model the behavior after repeated viewing of these videos. (Research to support positive effects of video modeling/self modeling are as follows: Bellini, 2006, 2007; D'Ateno, et al 2003, Charlop-Christy et al, 2003) * This information was obtained from a Susan Stokes presentation on January 25, 2011.

Stokes reports that the benefits of Video Modeling are:
- visual medium
- motivating
- repetitive
- alleviates discomfort/anxiety of "live" social interactions
- reduces speed and distractions of "real life" social interactions
- increases attention to relevant stimuli in the video
- increases self awareness

Video Modeling Websites:

www.ideasaboutautism.com/video.html
www.alaskachd.org/video
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/video-editing.htm
www.modelmekids.com
www.watchmelearn.com
www.socialskillbuilder.com
www.dttrainer.com
YouTube- there are many videos already made for many social situations, try hear first!

C. Computer aided instruction

  • PowerPoint Presentations-these are teacher made PowerPoint modules that teach and reinforce specific skills
    • Individually designed (washing hands, making a sandwich, etc.)

PowerPoint Websites:
http://www.autism4teachers.com/autism4teachers_060.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/education/story.mspx
http://www.region2library.org/SocialStories.Htm
http://www.autism4teachers.com
http://www.socialstories.com/
http://www.kansasask.com (link to "Social Narratives-Social Stories and Power Card Bank")
http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/comic



Misc. Resources

Independent Work System Resources: www.tasksgalore.com

File Folder Activities:

National Professional Development Center on ASD: http://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/